July 12, 2007
Video of the Day: Firefighters Against Rudy Giuliani
One firefighters' group is taking their attacks on Rudy Giuliani's record to the videotape. The International Association of Fire Fighters, which worked with the Uniformed Firefighters Association (already a vocal critic of Giuliani) and Uniformed Fire Officers Association, produced a video called Rudy Giuliani: Urban Legend.
It's roughly 13 minutes of explaining how Giuliani's action led to firefighters' deaths during September 11. UFA president Stephen Cassidy told the Sun, "We're just setting the record straight. We had 120 firefighters in the north tower who couldn't get out because they had pieces of junk for radios. … We know he's not qualified to be the president and Americans will learn that, too."
Giuliani's campaign immediately fired back, with this statement from retired firefighter Lee Ielpi, whose son died in the World Trade Center, "In 2008, I expect these same union bosses to endorse Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John Edwards, so today's comments are just a first step in that process. Fortunately, rank-and-file firefighters know the difference between politics and leadership." A Cooper Union professor also told the Sun that the IAFF had previous salary and other disputes with Giuliani during his terms.
And some comparisons are being made to the swift boat ads, but IAFF president Harold Schaitberger said, "I went through that campaign with John Kerry, and there is a difference between what we are saying and Swift boat ads. What we are saying is true."
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f*ck rudy and his trailer trash homewrecker wife
Gothamist is getting really tiresome. There is another candidate for President from New York that gets zero attention from this site. Why does gothamist need to throw red meat to the rabid anti-Giuliani crowd four or five times a week?
just proves he's the most divisive mayor NYC ever had.
Lelpi, isn't that Italian? I'll trust a Cassidy over an Italian any day.
he'd make a horrible president
war war war
I lived in New York for 9/11 and it seemed more like the media created the Giuliani myth more than he made it for himself.
psst... #2... some of us don't like the other candidate from NY, either....sshhh... don't tell anyone...
One thing I do not get is the complaint that Rudy "stopped us from working on The Pile." Um, that probably saved your damn life given that "WTC Syndrome" that seems to be killing first responders and victims who inhaled the dust. These same people would probably complain about the fact that they're sick from working on the Pile.
psst... #2... some of us don't like the other candidate from NY, either....sshhh... don't tell anyone...
That was kind of my point. I don't want stories about her on gothamist because I want to lavish praise on her. Just wondering why no coverage. Even the Times barely covers her other than to tell us how awesome she and Bill are.
I wish Hillary worked on the Pile.
Another shot over the bow from the Chunginator.
And what about the radios, Rudy? Let's talk about the radios!
To all of the trolls who think of this sissy-boy with a bully's mask as some kind of hero, Rudy bought 2-way radios for the NYC Firefighters that were about 10 years outdated. It wasn't his call to make, but he did. He knew best. These radios did not work inside of buildings. (Now, think about New York City for a moment. Buildings, right? Right. The whole city is buildings. To the firefighters, radios that don't let them talk with one another inside buildings are useless.) They did not let the Firefighters and Police talk with one another. Police and Firefighters NEED to communicate, during fires and especially during major emergencies. The Firefighters did not want them, and said so. The firefighter brass did not want them, and said so. Rudy knew best, of course, and gave the no-bid contract (in violation of city and state laws) to a campaign donor and bought the radios. The ones that the Firefighters and Police did not want. The ones that did not work properly. The ones with outdated technology and big price tags. On Sept. 11, the Firefighters inside the World Trade Center buildings had only these useless radios. They could not communicate with one another inside the buildings, and they could not communicate with the Police. Those inside could not hear their commanders telling them to get out because the buildings were going to collapse. They never heard the Police helicopters, circling overhead, telling them to get out because the buildings were going to collapse. They died carrying those expensive, worthless radios that Rudy bought from a campaign contributor. Blood money. Blood money. Who knows how many brave men and women died on that day because RUDY'S RADIOS DID NOT WORK?!?!?! I would say that their brave blood is on his hands, but I have too much respect for them, and too much contempt for Rudy..
So, Rudy... tell us about the radios, won't you? Tell us all about the radios.